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About Me

Ronan Cray lives in New York City when he isn't holed up in his writer's shack in rural Pennsylvania. He remains inspired by people and their stories. New York provides ample inspiration for both. Torn between meeting new people and staying home on the couch, he channels this conflict into his work. The result... you decide.

How To Write: Part II

Unlike anything else in this crazy world, the written
word is always black and white. You're either writing or you're not.

Writers operate under the Newton’s First Law: an object
at rest tends to remain at rest until acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Journalists have deadlines, authors have editors, copywriters have clients. For
an independent or freelancer, getting that push from someone other than a
spouse can be hard to find. Who do you have?

The first project I had in construction was to watch two
other men work. That's it. I just sat there, pretending to do paperwork, for
eight hours, while my two laborers hung sheetrock. I was told that not having
me on site would lead to extended coffee breaks and absenteeism, both true. My
job, for the last 13 years, is a glorified babysitter for grown men.

Why did I do that? Because my boss was watching me.

We all need babysitters, writers most of all.

Get yourself a buddy

Depending on what motivates you, do one of the following:

1.Compete with a friend on word count. Challenge
them to keep up. This works for the competitive types. Think of humiliating
consequences for the loser. Writers have egos fragile enough to make this easy.

2.Write with a friend. They can take a chapter, or
some research, or maybe pick up where you left off. You can write pretty fast
if your partner is in a distant time zone. Hit ‘send’ just before you fall
asleep on your keyboard and let them get started.

3.Have an in-line editor. This person asks you
every day for the next installment. Publishing each page or chapter on a site
like Wattpad will not only build an audience but drive you to write through a
waiting audience. It worked for Dickens.

Perhaps the greatest benefit to having a buddy in any
form is that they can help you move past your slumps. Don’t bet on a spouse for
this. You’ll need someone who understands.